NIGERIAN STUDENTS SPEND N246 BN IN U.K.

For decades, Nigerians have traveled to the United Kingdom to receive their education. As far back as the colonial era, young Nigerians were shipped abroad to study and soon returned to teach others or apply their education in the country. Nigeria's education system soon became a shining star on the African continent, with students coming from as far away as Asia and the Caribbean to take advantage of the nation's institutions. Over time, however, Nigerian schools began to lose their shine and those with the resources opted for educations anywhere other than Nigeria. And now, according to Business Day Online, Nigerian money fuels the UK education sector to the tune of N246 billion.

"United Kingdom has become a preferred destination for most Nigerian students seeking education following no clear cut government policy and subsequent rot in the sector."

Nigerian students are extremely coveted by the English educational system because they not only bring in billions, but the students apparently do very well, meaning very good business for the U.K. which sells its educational system not just in Nigeria, but across the world. Companies like Global Education Study Centres make a considerable profit packaging and selling education in the U.K. to weary Nigerians simply seeking to educate their children in a reliable system.

According to statistics from the British Council, since 2002, the number of Nigerians being educated in the UK increased by over 75%. That number was generated in 2006 and so it can be expected that the percentage is higher given the continued dilapidation of the Nigerian education system. In a 2007-2008 list of countries sending students to the U.K., Nigeria ranked 8th. But, as parents rush to send their children to the U.K., the recent incident with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab revealed that young Muslim men are being radicalized in English schools, an issue no parent can ignore.

It is beyond question that Nigeria would be much better off if that N246 billion that was spent in the UK had been spent, efficiently, in Nigeria itself. However, the question remains - what will happen to Nigeria's educational system? Already, the nation was informed that 23mn of its youths are unemployable thus complicating matters further. Thankfully there are private institutions picking up the slack but what of those who cannot afford those schools? Will they simply go without a reasonable education? And, if so, what does that say of Nigeria today and tomorrow?

What do you think about the increased number of Nigerian students studying abroad?

via nigeriancuriosity.com

I was reading this and decided to repost it. I mean it's really a serious problem but the first problem we have to tackle is Nigeria's infrastructure, I mean we have to make sure that there are jobs availabl so that if good schools are developed, graduated can have a good chance of getting employment. What you guys think???